The Business Mind You've Been Looking For

Karl Heideck Sheds Light On The New Driving Law In Pennsylvania And Its Importance In Saving Children’s Lives

Driving laws have recently been modified in Pennsylvania to include regulations on car seats. The new laws that took effect last year dictate that kids be carried on restraining car seats. Children below two years of age are to be carried on a backward-facing seat. Those between two and eight years, weigh under 80 pounds and are shorter than 4’9″, should be carried on a booster seat. Defying this law leads to a 75 dollars fine and additional court fees.

Worrying Statistics

Car crashes are the leading cause of children’s mortality in the United States according to The American Automobile Association. A recent survey showed that 2885 children died in car crashes between 2010 and 2014. Another study by Centers for Disease Control in 2015 showed that children below 12 who were restrained during a car crash were only 35 percent. The new law is aimed at eliminating these numbers entirely. A children car seat is designed to restrict the head, shoulder, neck, and spine. The seats limit the effect of a crash on the child thereby reducing chances of an injury by 82 percent and death by 28 percent.

Selecting a car seat can prove difficult for some parents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has, however, laid some guidelines on the matter. The car seat recommended for children under two faces backward according to thereisnoconsensus.com. A front-facing car seat with a harness is designed for kids above two and below age 5. For children above five years, a booster seat is advised. This kind of seat elevates the kid to a level that she or he can use a seat belt. The state of Pennsylvania has inspection sites that one can take his or her car for inspection in case of doubt on the car seat to use. The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh also offers this service.

About Karl Heideck

Karl Heideck is a renowned law expert who specializes in compliance and risk management law. Karl Heideck boasts over a decade experience in law practice in Philadelphia.